History of the Ruebel Hotel

The Ruebel Hotel stands as the sole surviving hotel of yesteryear on the streets of historic Grafton, Illinois. Built by Michael Ruebel in 1879, the two buildings which have occupied the site – both the original Ruebel and its rebuilt successor - have collectively witnessed over a century of evolution in the small Illinois town. Grafton, located on the National Scenic Byway, sits on the banks of the Mississippi River above St. Louis, nestled below majestic limestone bluffs at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. This scenic location has offered locals and travellers alike the rich tapestry of life on the river, woven with natural beauty and local culture. As Grafton itself is the oldest town in Jersey County, time's unrelenting march has brought with it a cavalcade of changes ranging from the quarries which built the nearby Eads Bridge with their legion of workers to the Great Flood of 1993... but despite these changes, Grafton has remained as it has always been; a lively river town on the banks of the Mississippi. A favorite location for birdwatching in the Midwest, it is home to nature's flyway for wintering American bald eagles and summering white pelicans, and habitat for a wide variety of water birds as well as a grand selection of native birds.

The Ruebel has witnessed its own share of change over the years. Having burned down in 1912, the hotel was rebuilt the following year, renting any of its 32 rooms for $1 a night to the weary river traveler, quarryman, dockworker... and occasional ghost.

Indeed, just as the Ruebel has kept its rich history alive through the years, so too, it seems, the spirits of its past also live on within its walls. As the new owners of the Ruebel relocated to the premises, they stayed in the lower back rooms of the hotel. During the winter, when guests are typically more sparse, they began to notice strange occurrences in the quiet of the halls – soft footsteps in the twilight hours of morning, curious smells, and small items mysteriously vanishing as though a child had taken them. These occurrences - along with unexplained orbs in the photographs taken by many recent guests - have given rise to the rumors of the existence of "Abigail", a little ghost girl who may still roam the halls of the Ruebel years after her passing, playfully toying with an occasional guest.

Today, the Ruebel Hotel stands as a monument to the endurance of the American River Town: A survivor possessing grace, beauty and tenacity.